Vehicles with Belarusian license plates banned from entering Estonia

Vehicles with Belarusian license plates banned from entering Estonia. Photo: Margus Ansu

On July 1, the European Union ramped up sanctions imposed on Belarus to limit the ability of the Belarusian regime to participate in Russia's aggression against Ukraine and prevent the circumvention of the sanctions imposed against Russia through Belarus, with the sanctions imposed on Belarus including a ban on importing motor vehicles with Belarusian license plates into the European Union.

This means that entry through Estonian border crossing points is denied to vehicles bearing Belarusian license plates regardless of the basis on which its owner or user is staying in Estonia or the European Union. In a limited number of cases the member state can allow exceptions, and the ban does not apply in humanitarian cases and on diplomatic license plates.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the European Union entry ban for vehicles with Belarusian license plates was the right thing to do because the Belarusian regime is directly contributing to and supporting Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Latvia and Lithuania are implementing a similar ban.

«When applied jointly, restrictions are more effective and this way we can raise the cost the Belarusian regime bears for contributing to aggression, and prevent the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia,» Tsahkna said, assuring that despite the ban, Estonia will continue to support Belarusian citizens who are forced to leave their country due to repressions.

The vehicle bearing Belarusian license plates that has entered Estonia must be registered in line with the Road Traffic Act within five or 12 days depending on circumstances. Additionally, the vehicle must be declared to the customs within six months and it is compulsory to pay import fees or apply for a tax exemption.

More detailed information on customs documentation is available on the Tax and Customs Board website www.emta.ee and information on registration is available on the website of the Transport Administration www.transpordiamet.ee. If the vehicle has not been registered within the required time period, it is removed from traffic and the owner is fined. The vehicle is allowed to re-enter traffic once it meets all requirements.